That was to be expected, of course. In a mild surprise, BA elevated Tampa Bay’s Matt Moore past Atlanta’s Julio Teheran into the third spot, making him the game’s top pitching prospect. Teheran was the No. 5 prospect and top pitcher in the preseason rankings, while Moore came in 15th.

Sliding in the rankings were Yankees catcher Jesus Montero (3rd to 8th) Royals outfielder Wil Myers (10th to 17th) and Rays right-hander Chris Archer (27th to out of the top 50). Royals left-hander John Lamb, who ranked 18th in the preseason, also fell out of the rankings, but since he underwent Tommy John surgery, that was anticipated.

The biggest surprise is that BA threw Paul Goldschmidt into the rankings at No. 50. Putting him in the final spot suggests that they’re not sold on him, but they also weren’t going to risk being embarrassed by leaving him off. Goldschmidt, 23, is the leading home run hitter in the minors with 25 this season. He’s hit .314/.431/.634 for Double-A Mobile.

Goldschmidt is for real. He mashed in the Cal league for visalia last season. Everyone is careful of breakout seasons in the Cal because its such a hitters league. Fly balls jump out in Lancaster, High desert, Bako, and Visalia and create great seasons for free swingers. Goldschmidt though is for real.

Granted I’m a little biased, but how can they not have Royals prospect Clint Robinson in the Top 50? He’s been on a tear the past couple of years, if I’m not “misremembering” he won the Triple Crown in AA last year. He should be playing in the Majors now, except for Billy Butler being entrenched at DH, which is a whole other discussion in itself.
Here’s what he’s done this year, has to be in the Top 50 for Minor League players.

I’m surprised Migual Sano didn’t make the midseason top-50. I believe he was rated #60 by BA at the start of the season and has done nothing short of hit the skin off the ball so far. Other rankings I have seen had him anywhere from 29-42 as a 18 year old starting the season(he played last year at 17). He’s the next Migual Cabrerra.